Currently, there is a worrying culture in the United Kingdom whereby young people are actively discouraged from taking a role and interest in politics. This is not healthy for the future of our democracy and we must therefore, tackle the crisis head on in order to reverse this culture.
The Campaign for Political Education is a non partisan campaign with broad support from across the political spectrum. The campaign aims to force reform of the education system and national curriculum in regard to politics. If we did this, by making political education(which should be incorporated into PSHE/Citizenship) compulsory for all secondary school students we could ensure:
- Empowerment through education. Young people have a better understanding of politics, having political opinion and taking a role in democracy.
- Empowerment through education. Young people have the tools and information to be able to take a full role in democracy and society.
In addition to schools providing sit down lessons of political education, there is an opportunity to extend education beyond the classroom. Schools can take a leading role in encouraging young people to vote by practicing our democratic system. Schools could also hold debates, with the help of local MP’s and councillors, where young people debate opinion.
The Lincoln branch of this campaign is run by the University of Lincoln Politics Society in addition to volunteers and supporters outside of the society.
We aim to:
- Raise awareness and encourage support for this issue in Lincoln.
- Encourage and improve voter registration and turnout in elections among young people in Lincoln.
- Lobby our local MP to raise this issue for debate in the House of Commons
Watch this space!